4.05 Perform OS installations and upgrades in a diverse OS environment

Introduction   

You've explored different operating systems and their tools and features, but how do you install or upgrade an operating system—whether you're starting fresh or updating an existing one?

In this lesson, we'll learn how to perform OS installations and upgrades across various operating systems, along with key concepts to ensure success every time.  

Installing and Upgrading an Operating System 

Installing or upgrading an operating system (OS) involves copying files from the installation media (like a USB drive or DVD) to a specific partition on the computer’s hard drive.

Depending on your situation, there are different installation types, each with unique steps and considerations.

Types of Installations 

1. Clean Install 

  • A clean install involves installing the OS on a new computer or completely replacing the OS on an existing computer. 

  • This process typically includes repartitioning and reformatting the target disk, which deletes any existing data and settings. 

  • Clean installs are considered more reliable because they provide a fresh start without any leftover data or software. 

2. In-place Upgrade 

  • An in-place upgrade installs a new version of the OS over an existing one, keeping all user data, settings, and third-party applications. 

  • This method is typically designed for home users and is less disruptive, as it does not delete existing files.

Important: You can only perform an in-place upgrade between versions of the same operating system (e.g., from Windows 10 to Windows 11). You cannot upgrade directly from Windows to Linux or vice versa. 

Key Considerations for Upgrading 

1. Hardware Compatibility

  • Ensure that the computer's CPU, chipset, and RAM meet the minimum requirements for the new OS. 

  • Many modern operating systems require a 64-bit CPU and have higher RAM requirements than older versions. 

2. Application and Driver Compatibility 

  • Before upgrading, check if current applications and device drivers are compatible with the new OS version. 

  • For an in-place upgrade, uninstall any software or hardware that is incompatible. You may need to reinstall or update these after the upgrade. 

  • Check if the vendor has provided a newer version of any incompatible apps or drivers. 

  • Microsoft’s Windows Compatible Products List (previously the Hardware Compatibility List, HCL) helps you identify compatible devices and drivers. 

3. Upgrade Advisors 

  • Some OS vendors provide tools like an Upgrade Advisor to automatically check if your computer’s hardware and software will work with the new OS version. 

  • These tools may be included in the OS setup program or available on the vendor’s website. 

4. Backup Files and Preferences 

  • Always back up important files and settings before upgrading. 

    • For a clean install, backups are essential for restoring data after setup. 

    • For an in-place upgrade, a backup ensures you can recover data if something goes wrong. 

5. Obtain Third-Party Drivers 

  • The OS installation media might not include drivers for all hardware devices, such as RAID controllers or network adapters. 

  • Ensure you have the latest drivers from the manufacturer’s website stored on a USB drive or network location to avoid issues during installation or upgrade. 

6. Dealing with Unsupported Hardware or Software 

  • Remove unsupported hardware or software from the PC before an in-place upgrade. 

  • Download the latest drivers for various devices from the vendor's website, as the default drivers included with OS setup media may not be up to date or comprehensive. 

Feature Updates for Windows 10 and Windows 11 

  • Feature updates for Windows 10 and Windows 11 introduce changes to the desktop environment and bundled applications. 

  • These updates are delivered via Windows Update and generally do not require new hardware. 

  • However, treat feature updates like in-place upgrades: 

  • Check for hardware and software compatibility. 

  • Make a backup before proceeding to ensure data safety. 

By following these guidelines and preparing adequately, you can ensure a smooth OS installation or upgrade experience, regardless of the operating system. 

Unattended Installations 

Performing an attended installation of an operating system can be time-consuming. Even though the setup process has become more efficient since the early versions of Windows, it still requires someone to be present to monitor the setup and enter information. For large-scale deployments, whether all at once or over several months, it is often better to use unattended installations. 

What is an Unattended Installation? 

An unattended installation uses a script or configuration file to automatically provide the necessary information and settings during the setup process. This allows the installation to proceed without user intervention.  In Windows, this script is called an answer file. 

Creating an Answer File 

  • The Windows System Image Manager is a tool used to create and configure answer files. 

  • An answer file includes all the necessary information for installation, such as: 

    • Product key 

    • Disk partition details 

    • Computer name 

    • Language settings 

    • Network settings (including whether to join a domain or workgroup) 

By using an answer file, the setup program can automatically fill in all required fields without pausing for user input. 

Image Deployment 

Unattended installations can also be done using image deployment. 

  • An image is a complete copy or clone of an existing OS installation, saved as a single file. 

  • The image can include: 

    • The base OS and its configuration settings 

    • Service packs and updates 

    • Application software 

    • Any other required files or settings 

  • Images can be stored on DVD, USB drives, or accessed over a network. 

Using image deployment ensures that all machines have a consistent set of software and configuration settings, making it ideal for large-scale or repetitive installations. 

By using unattended installations and image deployment, you can significantly reduce the time and effort required for OS installations, especially in large environments. 

Boot Methods for Operating System Installation 

The boot method refers to how the setup program, answer file (if used), and OS files or system image are loaded onto the target computer. To use a specific boot method, you may need to access the computer's firmware setup program to enable it and set it as the highest priority. 

Configuring Boot Devices and Priority 

Before starting the installation, you need to configure the boot order in the computer's firmware (BIOS or UEFI). This setup determines which device the computer will try to boot from first. 

Common Boot Methods 

1. Optical Media 

  • Traditionally, OS installations and upgrades were performed by booting from optical media such as a CD-ROM or DVD. 

  • For this method, the optical drive must be set as the priority boot device in the firmware setup. 

2. USB and External Drives 

  • With fewer modern computers including optical drives, USB and external drives are more commonly used for installations. 

  • A key advantage of using USB drives is the ability to create slipstreamed media—installation media that includes all the latest patches, drivers, and updates, reducing post-installation tasks. 

  • The installation media could be a USB flash drive or an external hard drive connected via USB. 

  • To use this method, set the firmware to prioritize booting from the USB-connected device. 

  • Microsoft’s Media Creation Tool can create bootable USB drives or generate an ISO file to be burned onto a DVD. 

3. Network Boot 

  • A network boot involves booting the computer to connect to a shared folder containing the installation files or system images, which can be pre-configured or slipstreamed. 

  • The target computer must have a partition on its hard disk to store temporary installation files. 

  • Many modern computers support Preboot eXecution Environment (PXE), which allows them to boot from a network server. This process uses a DHCP server to locate the installation server and begin the setup. 

4. Internet-Based Boot 

  • Similar to network booting, an Internet-based boot allows the computer to download and start the OS installation from an online server. 

  • This requires the local network’s DHCP server to be configured to provide the DNS name of the online installation server. 

  • Most installers will also need to connect to the Internet to download updates and additional packages. 

5. Internal Hard Drive (Partition) 

  • After installing the OS, set the internal hard drive as the highest priority boot device. This prevents the system from booting from the setup media again. 

  • This configuration also helps prevent unauthorized OS installations if access to the firmware setup program is restricted. 

  • An internal partition can also serve as a recovery partition, allowing the system to restore the OS without external media.

By understanding these boot methods and configuring them properly in the firmware, you can ensure a smooth and efficient OS installation process tailored to your specific needs and hardware environment. 

Disk Configuration for Operating Systems 

To use a mass storage device like a hard disk drive (HDD) or solid-state drive (SSD), it must first be partitioned and formatted. This process can be done during OS installation, through a script in an answer file, or as part of an image deployment. 

What is a Partition? 

  • A partition is a logically separate section of a disk. 

  • At least one partition must be created on a fixed disk before formatting it to create a file system. 

  • Partition information is stored on the disk itself, using either the Master Boot Record (MBR) or the GUID Partition Table (GPT) system. 

MBR-Style Partitioning 

  • The Master Boot Record (MBR) stores the partition table in the first 512-byte sector of the disk. 

  • MBR allows up to four primary partitions on a single physical disk. 

    • One of these partitions can be marked as active (bootable). 

    • This configuration supports multiple operating systems (multiboot) or separate storage areas (e.g., for user data or logs). 

  • If more than four partitions are needed and GPT isn't available, an extended partition can be created, which can hold multiple logical drives. Extended partitions cannot be made bootable. 

  • Boot Sector: The start of each primary partition contains a boot sector (or Partition Boot Record, PBR). 

    • If a partition is marked as active, its boot sector contains the OS boot loader. 

    • In Windows: 

      • The system partition (also called system reserved) is where the boot loader resides. 

      • The boot partition is where the OS files are stored; this can be on a logical drive in an extended partition. 

  • Legacy BIOS Requirement: If a disk uses MBR partitioning, the system firmware must be set to Legacy BIOS boot mode. It will not recognize the disk if set to UEFI. 

GPT-Style Partitioning 

  • The GUID Partition Table (GPT) is a more modern partitioning scheme that overcomes the limitations of MBR. 

  • GPT supports: 

    • More than four primary partitions—up to 128 in Windows. 

    • Larger partitions (greater than 2 TB). 

    • A backup copy of the partition table for increased reliability. 

  • A GPT disk includes a protective MBR to prevent issues with systems that do not recognize GPT. 

  • UEFI Requirement: If a disk uses GPT partitioning, the system firmware must be set to UEFI boot mode. It will not recognize the disk if set to BIOS. 

  • Conversion Tools: The mbr2gpt utility in Windows 10 version 1703 and later can convert an existing MBR disk to GPT without data loss, though a backup is recommended before proceeding. After conversion, the system firmware should be switched to UEFI boot mode. 

Drive Formatting 

  • An OS must be installed on a partition formatted with a compatible file system: 

    • Windows: Uses NTFS. 

    • macOS: Uses APFS. 

    • Linux: Commonly uses ext3/ext4, but can use other file systems as well. 

  • During an attended installation, the OS setup program guides you through partitioning and formatting options. 

Example: Guided Setup in Ubuntu Linux 

  • In Ubuntu's guided setup: 

    • Partition 1 is formatted as the EFI System Partition (ESP) for the bootloader. 

    • Another partition is formatted with ext4 to hold the root file system. 

Understanding these disk configuration options ensures the OS is correctly installed and compatible with your system's hardware and firmware. 

Repair Installation 

If a computer fails to boot or experiences persistent issues like slow performance without an identifiable cause, a repair installation may be necessary. This process can restore the operating system (OS) to a working state without a full reinstall. 

Recovery Partition 

  • A recovery partition is a tool provided by Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) to restore the OS to its original factory state. 

  • This partition is created on the internal hard drive and contains a copy of the original OS installation. 

  • If the main OS installation becomes corrupted or fails to boot, the system can boot from the recovery partition. This is typically initiated by pressing a specific key during startup (like F11 or CTRL+F11), which is usually indicated on-screen. 

  • The recovery process is guided by a simple wizard and replaces the damaged OS installation. 

Key Points: 

  • Data and Application Loss: Using the OEM recovery partition typically does not restore user data, settings, or third-party applications. The system is reset to the state it was in when it left the factory. User data must be recovered from a backup made prior to the computer becoming unbootable. 

  • Limitations: 

    • The recovery partition only works if the original hard drive is still in the machine. 

    • It will not include any patches or updates installed after the PC was shipped. 

    • The recovery image can occupy a significant amount of disk space, reducing the available storage capacity for users.

Reset Windows 

Windows provides built-in refresh and reset options to attempt repairs without requiring a complete OS reinstallation. 

  • Refresh: 

    • Recopies system files and reverts most system settings to their defaults. 

    • Can preserve user personalization settings, data files, and apps installed from the Windows Store. 

    • Removes desktop applications. 

  • Full Reset: 

    • Deletes the existing OS, all apps, settings, and user data. 

    • Prepares the system for a fresh OS installation. 

These options provide flexibility in repairing Windows installations while balancing the preservation of user data and installed applications.  

Summary 

Congratulations on completing this lesson on installing and upgrading operating systems!

You've learned about various installation types, including clean installs and in-place upgrades, and explored key considerations for ensuring a smooth upgrade process.

We also covered unattended installations, different boot methods, disk configurations, and repair options to restore your system in case of failure. With this knowledge, you're well-equipped to handle OS installations and upgrades efficiently and effectively. Keep practicing and building on these skills!